Handsworth Grange Community Sports College has become the first secondary school in Sheffield to gain the new Sheffield Quality Standard for Careers Education, Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) which incorporates the Government’s national standards for Information, Advice and Guidance.

The school has held the careers quality award since 1999 but the new standard provides a stronger and more rigorous framework against which schools and colleges can review their provision and recognises the quality of their careers programmes. In order to gain the new award, the school underwent a thorough assessment day during which the assessors met with current school students, senior managers and other staff including Denise Powell, careers co-ordinator, and gained a clear understanding of the level of careers provision on offer to all students.

The school was praised for its support of students in encouraging them to achieve their career ambitions and aspirations. Susan Holland, Information and Guidance Services manager at Sheffield Futures, was delighted that the school has been successful in achieving the new Quality Standard careers award: “I would like to offer my congratulations to all the staff at Handsworth Grange Community Sports College who contribute to the Careers education, advice and guidance programme, for their achievement of the local quality standard and the way they continue to maintain and uphold the high delivery standards of careers education and guidance.”

Handsworth Grange head teacher, Ms Anne Quaile praised staff involved in the delivery of the careers programme: “All our staff work incredibly hard to support young people in making the right career choices. I cannot praise Denise and her team highly enough, well done to all.”